Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

grant statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Ski and climbing conditions are good right now, and we have seen less avalanche activity over the previous few days. However we remain wary of the weak snowpack that dominates the region. Consider your exposure to avalanche terrain very carefully.

Summary

Weather Forecast

One more day in this same, stable weather pattern before things change. Tuesday expect temperatures ranging from -15 to -25, light winds and no new snow - looks like another nice day and then on Tuesday night the wind picks up and the remainder of the week will be snowy. Expecting 10-15 cm through the second half of this week.

Snowpack Summary

There is 15-25 cm of low density snow at tree line with a thin rain-crust below the storm snow at lower elevations. Some wind effect exists in alpine areas. Common throughout the region are the weak facets and depth hoar in the lower half of the snowpack, overlain by a 40-60 cm slab of well settled snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed or reported on Monday.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

There is a thick slab over a structurally weak snowpack in most areas. Avoid thin parts of a slope or rocky outcrops at tree line and above. A failure can propagate to deeper areas and cause large avalanches.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2017 4:00PM